GALVIN MIDDLE SCHOOL student Sophia Callahan helped sell tickets at the Parent University raffle table at the Galvin Middle School on Saturday, March 10. Among the prizes were Wakefield Warriors T-shirts and gift cards from Rada Boutique and Upscale Consignment, the Dockside Restaurant and Sweet Bay Shop. (Gail Lowe Photo)
Published in the March 12, 2018 edition.
By GAIL LOWE
WAKEFIELD — Educationally speaking, the tables were turned on Saturday, March 10 when parents took over classrooms at the Galvin Middle School to do some learning of their own.
For the past five years, Parent University, a series of workshops designed for parents who wish to keep current with student learning, gain knowledge on how to enhance their parent-child relationships and gain insight into issues that are confronting today’s students in every age group.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kim Smith said that the year 2018 had the highest registration yet.
“It’s wonderful to see parent engagement,” Dr. Smith said.
Carrie Stack, who holds a master of education degree and is a certified life coach, author and Say Yes Institute trainer, was back by popular demand to speak about successful communication with children. Stack offered tips for parents during a talk in the school’s auditorium that included keeping a positive attitude and practicing positive reinforcement with their children.
The 13 workshops included an overview of the new K-4 readers’ workshop curriculum; teaching kids to persevere and love the learning process; understanding anxiety in children and supporting a child’s learning about math in the home.
Other topics included mindfulness and how children can achieve balance in a stressful world; college planning; social media and children; successful transitions through the grades; information about vaping and other risky behaviors; nutrition and its impact on mood, behavior and attitude; successful parent communication; raising money savvy children and how to respond to discriminatory behavior in the schools and community.
In addition to Stack, workshop presenters were Michele Labrecque, Tricia Stodden, Lisa Azzarito and Danika Ripley (K-4 literacy coaches); Doug Lyons, WPS assistant superintendent and members of the district leadership team; Kate Hersman and Bonnie Warren, Galvin psychologists; Jason Wallace (K-4 math coach) and Wendy Phillips (5-12 math curriculum coordinator); Jill Charie, teacher and Suzanne Burns, guidance counselor and AJ Beebe and Brian Robertson, guidance; Marlisa Burke, high school teacher and student diversity leaders.
Also, Shannon Blacker, Doyle principal; Jennifer Coyne, Galvin assistant principal; Gerrilyn Trafficante, high school assistant principal; Catherine Dhingra, Wake-Up coalition director; Kelley Tobyne, Galvin school resource officer; Jason Skillings, high school resource officer; Michelle Thomas, certified wellness and nutrition coach; Tom Elkins, financial planner Wakefield Co-operative Bank and Daniel Lieber, certified TAB trainer and WPS parent.
